If you compare the search results, or more precisely search options, that you get when using Google Search on mobile devices using Firefox and Chrome, you will notice that Firefox’s options are limited.

One feature that I use quite often when it comes to search is the time filter of Google Search. It enables me to restrict results to a certain time period, and while it does not always work correctly, as some sites seem to have found ways to abuse it and make their articles look fresh even if they are not, it is often useful when searching for recent information about a topic.

For instance, limiting a search for Firefox Tweaks to this year may be beneficial as it will filter out tweaks for Firefox 2 or 3 among other things.

Anyway, if you run a search on Firefox for Android using Google, you will notice that the options are very limited.

Google displays two options at the top, one to display image search results and a more link. This more link displays options to display other result types, videos or maps for example, and there is an “even more” link which leads to featured apps that you can install on your Android device. There you find Chrome for Android listed prominently among other apps.

The Search tools option is missing completely. It is this option that provides you with the means to limit results by time.

If you compare that to Chrome’s options on Android, you will notice that they are inferior. Chrome displays additional options directly in its interface, and it offers a Search tools option as well.

There is a workaround available though that Firefox for mobile users can use. If you switch to the desktop version of Search, you get all search tools right away at the top including the option to filter the search results by time.

Or, and that may be the better option, you switch to a search engine like Startpage that offers excellent results and all advanced options that you may need on mobile devices.

Firefox mobile users who use Google Search may have noticed that the search options are limited in comparison to Google Chrome.

About Martin Brinkmann

Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand. You can follow Martin on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

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